jerry brown signs california dream act 100811

Gov. Jerry Brown today signed legislation allowing undocumented immigrant college students to receive public financial aid, marking California's relatively liberal ground in a bitter row over immigration nationwide.

The California Dream Act allows access to public financial aid, including Cal Grants, for undocumented students who came to the country before turning 16 and attended California high schools. Those students already are eligible for in-state tuition, and Brown in July signed a companion measure affording them access to private financial aid.

"Going to college is a dream that promises intellectual excitement and creative thinking. The Dream Act benefits us all by giving top students a chance to improve their lives and the lives of all of us," Brown said in a prepared statement.

Brown, a Democrat, supported the act during last year's gubernatorial campaign, and his signature was all but certain. He had negotiated amendments to the bill, Assembly Bill 131, to reduce costs, excluding graduates of technical and adult schools and delaying implementation until January 2013.

The bill, by Assemblyman Gil Cedillo, D-Los Angeles, was passed by lawmakers on partisan lines. Democrats said it would result in a more educated population. Republicans said awarding scholarships to undocumented students would encourage illegal immigration, and they objected to the cost.

The program's expansion is expected to cost the state $23 million to $40 million annually.

Brown's signature comes amidst tension nationwide about immigration, most recently over strict new laws in Georgia and Alabama. Meanwhile, the Obama administration announced it would suspend deportation proceedings against undocumented immigrants who aren't a danger to public safety, including people who immigrated as young children and are in school.

Republican Assemblyman Tim Donnelly said the legislation would encourage illegal immigration and force students who are in the country legally to compete with undocumented immigrants for public resources.

"I think that it is perhaps the biggest mistake that Gov. Brown has ever made," he said, "other than unionizing public employees."

Donnelly, of Twin Peaks, is setting up a website, "STOP the Nightmare Act," and pledged to launch a referendum campaign.

In a prepared statement, Cedillo said the bill "will send a message across the country that California is prepared to lead the country with a positive and productive vision for how we approach challenging issues related to immigration."

Editor's note: Post updated at 1:25 p.m. to include remarks by Donnelly and Cedillo.

Showing 1-10 of 1040 comments

ungles

So an American citizen or LEGAL resident from say Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, or any of the other 50 states who wants to go to college here in California has to pay astronomically high tuition, but an ILLEGAL alien who lives in California, ILLEGALLY, gets to pay in-state tuition, the same tuition as an American citizen or LEGAL resident who lives in California. That is nothing but crap. It's stupidity like this that makes it hard for me to vote democrat.
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bmanahan

They already had in state tuition. This bill went a step farther by giving them tax dollars to further subsidize their eduation. Yes it is crap. We are putting all these resources into higher education for those who can't legally work in this country. Makes no sense.
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Library_Sim

http://www.sos.ca.gov/election...
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- Today 06:38 PM
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ccmc

Another load of $#*^ ! It isn't a dream, it is a nightmare..................
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H8

When do the automatic budget cuts kick in if the economy doesn't improve? November or December?
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gotaxyourself

They'd cut services, etc. to the legals WHEN it happens. Bet?
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PizzedOff

I see this as just another way to get votes. Also, what's going to happen when it's my kids turn to apply for the cal-grants vs. illegal immigrant student and they get denied? Are they going to be able to sue for discrimination? Man, this law is so stupid!!!!
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FiveGenCalifornian

My kids are already students at UCI and UCSD, born and raised in California, went all the way through high school in California and they cannot get aid. My daughter almost quit just before her senior year because she's already $24,000 in debt! The kids who don't get scholarships for top grades or sports are the ones screwed the most. My kids had good grades but not good enough for all the AP classes, so no money there. My daughter is a theatre major/film minor - there's no college money for that either. My son is an engineering major. I can't get funds either to finish my bachelor's degree and I'm also born/raised in California.
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SDouglas47

There is no "versus". No illegal may receive a CalGrant until and unless ALL eligible CITIZENS have received theirs.

It's in the law.
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H8

The law does not mean anything in CA anymore.
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http://blogs.sacbee.com/capitolalertlatest/2011/10/dream-act-1.html

October 8, 2011, Sacramento Bee

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